Natalie Imbruglia is the big story so far in the pending Australian ARIA music awards. The singer has managed to snag nine nominations in categories including best album, single, female artist, new talent, debut album, debut single and pop release, plus both "Torn" and "Big Mistakes" are up for highest selling Australian single. The 12th Annual ARIA Awards will be held October 20 in Sydney, Australia.

Other prominent artists include Regurgitator and The Whitlams, with eight nominations each. Both groups are in the Best Australian Group category along side Savage Garden, The Superjesus and You Am I. The debut album category is considered one to watch with nominees including Cordrazine, Grinspoon, Jebediah and The Superjesus, in addition to Natalie Umbruglia. The singer's competition in the female category includes Tina Arena, Monique Brumby, Kate Ceberano and Kylie Minogue.

One artist missing from the awards line-up is former Crowded House singer Neil Finn. Finn recently

moved his residence back to his native New Zealand and was subsequently deemed ineligible in a mildly controversial decision by the organizers.

Last year's big winner, Savage Garden, received an Outstanding Achievement award at Monday's nominations event to commemorate international sales totaling eight million copies for their self-titled debut album and for being one of only three Australian groups to top the charts in the U.S. That feat was previously accomplished by Men At Work and INXS.